Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips

A review of Carnival Jubilee in 2026.

Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com, joins us to answer listener questions about travel insurance and common cruise disruptions. We discuss canceled sailings due to mechanical problems, cruise delays, missed flights and connections, and what happens when low water levels alter a European river cruise itinerary.

Dan also explains hurricane coverage, the importance of purchasing insurance before a storm becomes a known event, Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason coverage, and why travelers should consider medical coverage before boarding a cruise ship.

Then, Joe reviews an eight-night Carnival Jubilee cruise roundtrip from Galveston, Texas, with stops at Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

We cover his premium interior stateroom, embarkation in Galveston, dining at Cucina del Capitano, Guy's Burger Joint, Shaq's Big Chicken, and the main dining room, plus entertainment, the casino, and the ship's adults-only Serenity area.

Joe also shares his first impressions of Celebration Key, including the pools, food, and available shade, as well as his thoughts on the newly developed facilities at Half Moon Cay. We wrap up with onboard Wi-Fi, sea-day crowds, debarkation in Galveston, and tips for first-time cruisers considering Carnival's Excel-class ships.

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Norwegian Aqua.

Staff writer Richard Simms joins us with cruise news, including a Royal Caribbean passenger rescued after nearly 20 hours at sea, Norwegian Cruise Line adding early sailings for Norwegian Aura, new details about the Royal Caribbean Group and Sandals Resorts partnership, and another lawsuit involving hot pool deck injuries on a Carnival cruise ship.

We also cover Carnival Venezia's updated funnel, a sophisticated payment scam targeting Norwegian Cruise Line passengers, and Carnival's new FunPacks and upcoming dynamic pricing for drink packages and Wi-Fi.

Jason reviews a seven-night Norwegian Aqua Bahamas cruise to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay. We discuss his interior stateroom, the ship's layout compared with Norwegian Prima, dining at Indulge Food Hall, Cagney's, Le Bistro, and other specialty restaurants, plus entertainment featuring Fleetwood Mac's Rumors and Prince.

He also shares his experience with Free at Sea Plus, Starlink Wi-Fi, the casino, Aqua Slidecoaster, the crowded main pool deck, and the expanded outdoor spaces along Ocean Boulevard. Plus, we cover recent changes at Great Stirrup Cay, first-time cruising tips, and whether Norwegian Aqua delivers good value.

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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A Valiant Lady 2026 review.

Staff writer Richard Simms reviews an eight-night Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady cruise from Brooklyn, New York, to Canada and New England. We cover his Central Sea Terrace cabin, recent ship updates, dining, entertainment, nightlife, the casino, and what it's like to sail with Virgin Voyages on a cooler-weather itinerary.

Richard shares his experiences at the ship's included specialty restaurants, including the new Indian restaurant, Ariya, Pink Agave, Extra Virgin, and The Wake. We also discuss Scarlet Night, onboard shows, the adults-only atmosphere, and how Virgin Voyages compares with traditional cruise lines.

The itinerary includes Boston, Portland, Saint John, and Halifax, with stops for local seafood, sightseeing, and a maple syrup excursion. Plus, Richard shares how Valiant Lady handled a nor'easter that delayed the ship's return to New York, his tips for first-time Virgin Voyages cruisers, and whether the experience was worth the price.

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in the Star Class.

Richard Simms joins us with cruise news, including a Virgin Voyages ship striking a catamaran in Greece, Carnival Corporation moving ships between Holland America, P&O Cruises, and Cunard, Carnival Adventure heading to Seattle, new rules for younger Carnival guests, Royal Caribbean adding earlier sailings for Hero of the Seas, and MSC Cruises breaking ground on Sandy Cay.

Then, Kristen reviews a seven-night Icon of the Seas cruise from Miami with her family in a Star Class loft suite. We cover the two-level suite, Royal Genie service, Coastal Kitchen, specialty dining, entertainment, crowds, the water park, and what it's like to experience Royal Caribbean's largest ships in Star Class.

Kristen also shares the perks her Royal Genie arranged, including priority boarding, reserved show seating, a private FlowRider lesson, bridge and galley tours, and other experiences around the ship. The cruise visits Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, where the family booked a water park cabana.

Plus, Kristen shares whether Icon of the Seas lived up to the hype and whether Star Class was worth the price.

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

Ben reviews a seven-night Celebrity Beyond cruise from Miami to the Caribbean. We cover his Sunset Veranda stateroom, dining, entertainment, sea days, crowds, and what it's like sailing Celebrity's Edge-class ship with a seven-month-old.

Ben shares his thoughts on the four main dining rooms, Oceanview Cafe, onboard entertainment, and whether a Sunset Veranda is worth the extra cost compared to an Infinite Veranda or Porthole Veranda.

The cruise visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Nassau, with stops at Seven Mile Beach, snorkeling in Cozumel, and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. Plus, Ben shares whether Celebrity Beyond delivered enough value to earn his pick as the best cruise ship he's sailed.

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Carnival Venezia in 2026.

Staff writer Richard Simms joins us with cruise news, including Carnival Corporation's record earnings and strong 2027 bookings, changes to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises' cancellation policies, Princess Cruises raising prices on its Plus and Premier packages, and the latest on a federal operation involving cruise ship crew members.

Kristy reviews an eight-night Carnival Venezia cruise from Manhattan to Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk. We cover her Terrazza interior cabin, dining, entertainment, crowds, casino, and what makes Venezia different from other Carnival ships.

Christy also shares her experiences at Celebration Key, the newly updated Half Moon Cay, and Governor's Beach in Grand Turk, plus her tips and final thoughts after her fourth cruise aboard Carnival Venezia.

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

This week on Cruise Radio, Hank reviews a seven-night Holland America Zuiderdam cruise from Boston to Quebec City. We cover his aft-facing veranda cabin, dining, specialty restaurants, entertainment, sea days, and what it's like sailing on the 24-year-old Holland America ship.

Hank shares his experiences in Portland, Halifax, Sydney, and Charlottetown, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, a falconry excursion on Prince Edward Island, and local food along the way. We also discuss sailing the St. Lawrence River, disembarking in Quebec City, and spending extra time exploring the historic city.

Plus, Hank shares his thoughts on Holland America's Have It All package, the overall value of the cruise, and whether he would sail Zuiderdam again.

Share your thoughts: [email protected]

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Disney Destiny in 2026.

Margie reviews a four-night Disney Destiny cruise from Port Everglades with her family. We cover her veranda stateroom, Disney's rotational dining, entertainment, pools and water attractions, adults-only spaces, and the ship's Heroes and Villains theme.

Margie shares what it's like cruising aboard Disney Destiny with children and grandchildren, including the Frozen and Hercules production shows, Marvel experiences, Pirate Night, and Halloween on the High Seas. The cruise also visits both Disney destinations in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay.

Plus, Stewart Chiron, the Cruise Guy, has cruise news on Royal Caribbean buying a stake in Sandals Resorts, an update on the Carnival Panorama overboard incident, a slot machine fire aboard Carnival Jubilee, upgrades at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and a potential aquarium coming to the Port Canaveral area. PortMiami surpassing 10 million passenger movements, and Margaritaville at Sea naming Zac Brown as a ship godfather.

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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Norwegian Spirit.

Ben reviews a 16-night Norwegian Spirit cruise from Vancouver to Honolulu, combining Alaska, five sea days, and Hawaii. We cover the renovated ship, his balcony cabin, dining, entertainment, casino, thermal spa, and what it's like spending more than two weeks aboard Norwegian Spirit.

Ben also shares his experiences in Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Maui, and Kauai, including seeing bears in Alaska and exploring Hawaii.

Plus, the cruise takes an unexpected turn when a tropical storm threatens Hawaii, forcing Norwegian Spirit to change plans, return to Honolulu early, head back out to sea, and ultimately extend the cruise by an extra night.

Share your thoughts: [email protected]

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.

A review of Carnival Pride.

Chris reviews a seven-night Carnival Pride cruise from Baltimore to Bermuda. He shares what it's like to sail on the nearly 25-year-old ship, including his interior cabin, dining, entertainment, crowds, the casino, and the overall condition of Carnival Pride.

In Bermuda, Chris visits Snorkel Park Beach and Horseshoe Bay and shares tips for exploring the island with a family, including using local minibusses instead of cruise line excursions.

Plus, Richard Simms covers the week's cruise news, including Carnival Freedom getting its whale tail back, a fire at the Whittier cruise terminal in Alaska, updates on Celebrity Compass and MSC World Asia, Royal Caribbean canceling mistakenly priced casita reservations, cruise line loyalty program overcrowding, and a lawsuit involving Virgin Voyages.

Share your thoughts: [email protected]

Sponsor

Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise. Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.

Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.

About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.